This article is in response to a recent
press report according to which the President Elect of America, Donald Trump in
his first telephonic conversation with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin
identified Radical Islam as the no.1 threat to peace and security of the world
in this era. Conceivably, by Radical Islam they meant the ideology of murderous
takfirism - declaring an innocent person or group of people ‘Kafir’ and
killing them individually, in small or large groups or en-masse in terror
attacks.

The vast majority of Muslims, the world
over, may have been offended or even shocked by this remark as this amounts to
putting a tag of terror on their faith for the heinous crimes committed by an
infinitesimally small minority of its followers. But they must not take the
words of these great leaders as anti-Islamic rhetoric and search their souls.

Over the past few years (2002-2005), the author
of this essay has been voicing his grave concern over the menace of terrorism
in a series of his articles and refutation of the manuals (fatwa texts) of
terror ideologues. The world leaders’ above remark merely captures the essence
of these warnings, the gist of which is quoted below:

1. “the politicized, antiquated and
desiccated Salafi Islam that is feeding radicalization on a global scale and
thus playing in the hands of the terrorist outfits (is) now a great threat to
the West and a great menace to the rest of the world, including the Muslim
majority and minority countries.” [1]

2. “(The terrorist narrative is) tailored to
indoctrinate the target reader with a sadistic, barbaric and ferocious mindset
that will readily accept an exhaustive fatwa on the justification of mass
killing of men, women and children
including the 9/11 attacks on its face value. A deadly spiritual potion is thus
being brewed under the cloak of a fatwa which contradicts the Qur'an on many
counts, is self contradictory, bizarre and untenable on others, suicidal for
Islam and the broader Muslim community and a grave threat to human
civilization.” [2]

3. “(The narrative) bombards the simple and
innocent Muslims with what is most awe-inspiring and obscure to them – the
verses of the Qur’an, and capitalizes on their ignorance of the meaning of the
Qur’anic verses to sell them their own fatwa, however un-Qur’anic it may really
be – as God knows best.” [3]

4. “(The Fatwa justifies) gruesome acts like
“leaving snakes, scorpions and other dangerous insects among their defence
establishments (domain) and the killing of civilians (children, women and the
elderly), notably common Americans” [4]

5. “An ideological war is thus being
spearheaded globally to turn Islam from a religion of peace, harmony and
universal brotherhood into a cult of bestial violence and naked terrorism – a
grand betrayal of faith, a monstrous conspiracy, let alone its bloody fallout.”
[5]

The Muslims may argue that barely a hundred
terrorists were involved in all the major terror attacks in European countries
and America since 9/11 - which for a
population of almost two hundred millions is statistically insignificant and
therefore does not warrant the above remark. The problem is, regardless of the
paucity of number, any Muslim person can potentially get radicalized and
single-handedly or barely with a few comrades launch a bloody terror attack,
anywhere, anytime, in any country, against any group of people. This virtually
renders each and every Muslim a potential ‘radical’ in the eyes of the
non-Muslims – particularly those in the Western/ Muslim minority world. This,
coupled with the most horrifying video-clippings from ISIS creates a fear of
the Muslim in the perception of common Westerner. Hence, in the ultimate analysis,
Radicalization is designed to “turning Islam from a religion of peace, harmony
and universal brotherhood into a cult of bestial violence and naked terrorism”
as this writer had earlier concluded [5]. The question is what the common
peace-loving and progressive Muslims must do to diffuse, and in time eradicate
radicalization. This brings us to the caption of the article.

In practical terms, the so-called Radical
Islam is so abstract, secretive and symptomless that no Muslims will have any
clues if his next door neighbour or even the next of kin was radicalized and
planning a terror attack at any public place – be it a mosque, a church, a
community centre, a mall, a wedding reception, a funeral assembly, finishing
line of a marathon race or a packed orchestra hall. Use of the most advanced artillery, naval and
air power against Muslim lands over the past years to eradicate terrorism from
the face of the earth has multiplied this menace many folds and gave birth to the
monstrous terrorist outfit – the ISIS which is feeding on Radicalization. In a
great irony and paradox of history, this only resulted in an increase in Muslim
population in Europe and America through influx of refugees with inevitable
penetration of Radicalizing agents in these lands and alarming rise in and risk
of terrorism. Therefore, what may be the consequence of even greater measure of
sanctions, torture or pre-emptive use of more destructive weapons against
Muslim lands whose leaders may be aiding and abetting terrorism ideologically or
financially – as some hardliners suggest - is anybody’s guess. Portable weapons
of mass killing can be bought in the underground world of smugglers and these
are getting more and more deadly by the day. So a heavy handed, bloody or
collectively punitive measure can result in increased terrorism and
radicalization – the terror-outfits may be preparing for this – nobody knows.

As the Muslims are the main victims of
terror attacks and counter terror military measures and collectively suspected,
tacitly blamed, criticized, censored and even stigmatized for terrorism in
their religion’s name, their stakes are by far the highest. Therefore, they
must be in the forefront in the war against terrorism/ radicalization. This
writer has already penned a number of articles targeted at the Ulema
(traditional preachers) and religious scholars of Islam calling for outlawing
ISIS and its affiliates from Islam based on religious (Qur’anic) ground and
historical precedent from early Islam [6-11]. But they failed to trigger any
debate in traditional/ progressive Islamic scholarship, conceivably due to
their highly technical religious cum historical grounds, and of course, the
fear of a deadly backlash – as unlike this almost invisible and obscure writer,
the Ulema and Muslim scholars of the world are highly visible in the Muslim
quarters, and cannot risk their lives by taking a firm stand against the terror
outfits.

As it is impossible to read the mind of the
Ulema fraternity as some or many of them may not be absolutely sure of the
disconnect between Islam and Radicalism, this article is targeted at Muslim
organizations who may have already condemned terrorism and radicalization in
strongest terms, to launch a massive awareness campaign to tear away all the
different strands of Takfiri ideology and thus erode its potential appeal to
unsuspecting Muslim youth, and convince the world that Islam is not an alien or
dreadful religion but radicalism is alien to Islamic teaching and its dreadful
apparition.

It is suggested that Muslim organizations –
particularly in the West, propagate a focused anti-Radicalization narrative to
strip Radicalism (bloody Takfiri ideology) of any religious basis and convince
the deeply disturbed Muslim masses and the aghast Western world that this
murderous ideology is the brainchild of Stan and it is incumbent on each and
every Muslim to disavow it as any part of their faith such as by refusing – at
least in principle, to give Islamic burial to those who are killed in a state
of radicalization.

Since Radicalism draws on misinterpretation
of some of the fundamental tenets of our faith (as enshrined in the Qur’an) and
denial of others, and confusion between the popular Shariah Law of Islam and
its divine Shariah, the suggested anti-Radicalization narrative may consist of
the following tenets of faith.

i) We worship the same God as the rest of
believing humanity.

ii) We claim no exclusivity in religion - in
God’s sight all are equal.

iii) The Prophet never took to any form
coercion, let alone Radicalism (murderous takfirism) during the 23 year span of
his mission.

iv) We believe in pluralism, peaceful
coexistence and cordial relations with the rest of humanity.

v) We believe in the dignity human beings.

vi) We believe in universal justice

vii) We believe in universal human rights.

viii) Our prime duty as Muslims is to serve
humanity

ix) We do not support the notion of Islamic
Caliphate in this era.

x) We do not hanker after the so-called
Islamic Shariah Law.

xi) We are commanded to be kind to all people
including neighbours and strangers

xii) We are commanded to forgive past enemies
and collaborate with them for common good.

xiii) We seek to follow the upright path of the Qura’n
that lies in its best meaning

xiv) We believe those who cause mischief on earth
by selectively quoting from the Qur’an or any other Islamic sources are
traitors of religion.

To wrap up this article, the author will
support his spiritual invalidation of Radicalism as a cult of Satan by quoting
the following concluding paragraph of his article written in the immediate
aftermath of Paris attacks.

“In
sum terrorism in the name of Islam is an ideological cancer that has allowed
the devil to dominate the terrorist mind. So all his heinous crimes are
inspired by devil (Satan), and his xenophobic delusions lead him to confusing
it with Allah – the Most Kind and the Most Merciful. Their call, while
perpetrating terror should more fittingly be ‘Satan the Great’ (May God forgive
me for coining this expression) and not ‘God the Great.’ It is these people who
commit a sin perhaps more grave than shirk – they say Allah in place of Shaytan
in their xenophobic mania that has exceeded all limits – though God alone knows
why the Muslim Ulema are not protesting against this inordinately unholy swap
though the heaven breaks lose over their heads when a cartoon, or malicious
report of publication demonizing the Prophet appears in the media.” [12]

The author will also warn his audience of a
tacit sympathy or fear (God knows best) of the Ulema fraternity for the ISIS
cult – the champions of Radicalism. This is demonstrated by the absence of any
thunderous outburst when ISIS’s “self-styled Khalifa al-Baghdadi and his
followers repeatedly say that Islam has never been a religion of peace, not
even for a day,” and that “it has always been a religion of war and conflict”
as quoted by Sultan Shahin, the founder editor of New Age Islam. [13]

Part-2 of the article, to follow soon, sets out compelling substantiation of the noted
tenets of faith drawn primarily on the Qur’an - the primary scripture of Islam
the Word of God for the Muslims of all sects and stripes. The proposed campaign
is thus designed to destroy the dark forces of Evil with the Light of the
Qur’an, for the Qur’an and the Qur’an alone is its own best defence – and no
supplementary discourse is needed to defend it.

Muhammad Yunus, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Indian Institute of
Technology, and a retired corporate executive has been engaged in an in-depth
study of the Qur’an since early 90’s, focusing on its core message. He has
co-authored the referred exegetic work, which received the approval of al-Azhar
al-Sharif, Cairo in 2002, and following restructuring and refinement was
endorsed and authenticated by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA, and published by
Amana Publications, Maryland, USA, 2009.

TOTAL COMMENTS:- &nbsp 19

Dear Muhammad Yunus sahib, I fully endorse your suggestion as referenced in your comment. Propagating “a focused anti-radicalization narrative to strip Radicalism of any religious basis”, telling the world that “this murderous ideology is the brainchild of Stan” is an essential piece of work for all Muslims. Yes, Muslims should disavow this bloody Takfiri ideology by all means and should refuse “to give Islamic burial to those who are killed in a state of radicalization” By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi - 12/18/2016 11:59:14 PM

Dear Ghulam Ghaus Sahab,

Thanks for your comment. But do you agree with my following suggestion as tabled in the article:"It
is suggested that Muslim organizations – particularly in the West, propagate a
focused anti-Radicalization narrative to strip Radicalism (bloody Takfiri
ideology) of any religious basis and convince the deeply disturbed Muslim
masses and the aghast Western world that this murderous ideology is the
brainchild of Stan and it is incumbent on each and every Muslim to disavow it
as any part of their faith such as by refusing – at least in principle, to give
Islamic burial to those who are killed in a state of radicalization."

It
is suggested that Muslim organizations –
particularly in the West, propagate a focused anti-Radicalization
narrative to
strip Radicalism (bloody Takfiri ideology) of any religious basis and
convince
the deeply disturbed Muslim masses and the aghast Western world that
this
murderous ideology is the brainchild of Stan and it is incumbent on each
and
every Muslim to disavow it as any part of their faith such as by
refusing – at
least in principle, to give Islamic burial to those who are killed in a
state
of radicalization. - See more at:
http://newageislam.com/radical-islamism-and-jihad/radicalism-under-the-banner-of-islam-is-mutation-of-islam-into-a-cult-of-satan-%E2%80%93-so-muslims-must-create-an-anti-radicalization-narrative-to-defeat-and-disown-it-%E2%80%93-part-1/d/109310#sthash.Uwm0gLMs.dpuf

By muhammad yunus - 12/17/2016 8:57:10 PM

Dear Mr.
Muhammad Yunus, I am in full agreement with you when you say,

“The vast
majority of Muslims, the world over, may have been offended or even shocked by
this remark as this amounts to putting a tag of terror on their faith for the
heinous crimes committed by an infinitesimally small minority of its followers.
But they must not take the words of these great leaders as anti-Islamic
rhetoric and search their souls.”

Any such remark that puts a tag of terror on
Islam may offend Muslims. In this situation, I think, Muslims should develop
tolerance- a beautiful teaching of Islam. The reason that such unwanted remark
emanates from some non-Muslims is solely as a result of monstrous crimes
perpetrated by an infinitesimally small group of ‘Muslims’. So it is not wrong
to say that it is these so-called ‘Muslims’ who, by all their nefarious acts,
are intrinsically making others put a tag of terror on Islam. By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi غلام غوث الصديقي - 12/17/2016 10:02:36 AM

Dear Mohhamed Arif,

In your perception the Western world is in a state of jahilliya and therefore needs a 'radical change,' If by this statement you support the murderous takfiri ideology, what is called Radicalism, - in light of the arguments tabled in the article, you have been indoctrinated by the Cult of Shaytan operating today under the banner of Islam.

May God show you the right path before this Cult consumes you.

By muhammad yunus - 12/10/2016 9:46:14 PM

Dear Abu Rayhan,
Ajoy Dutta asked you a very pertinent question and rather then than answering him you ask him back if he was a traveling agent. This only means that you have no answer so you start raising personal question which is totally irrelevant to the question. Is this very honorable or shameful? you are wasting your time and others' as well - unless you speak in allegories. By muhammad yunus - 12/10/2016 9:30:32 PM

Dear Syed Omer Hussaini/ Mohhamed Arif,
Your comments purport to imply that the article is attempting to alter the religion of Allah. Quite the contrary, the article is only aiming at reaching a set of fundaments tenets of the Qur’an or principles embedded in the Qur’anic message (tabled below) to the Muslim masses:
i) We worship the same God as the rest of believing humanity.
ii) We claim no exclusivity in religion - in God’s sight all are equal.
iii) The Prophet never took to any form coercion, let alone Radicalism (murderous takfirism) during the 23 year span of his mission.
iv) We believe in pluralism, peaceful coexistence and cordial relations with the rest of humanity.
v) We believe in the dignity human beings.
vi) We believe in universal justice
vii) We believe in universal human rights.
viii) Our prime duty as Muslims is to serve humanity
ix) We do not support the notion of Islamic Caliphate in this era.
x) We do not hanker after the so-called Islamic Shariah Law.
xi) We are commanded to be kind to all people including neighbours and strangers
xii) We are commanded to forgive past enemies and collaborate with them for common good.
xiii) We seek to follow the upright path of the Qura’n that lies in its best meaning
xiv) We believe those who cause mischief on earth by selectively quoting from the Qur’an or any other Islamic sources are traitors of religion.
I as a Muslim solemnly swear by Allah that all these 14 points are fully consistent with the Qur’anic message and that if I were trying to alter the Qur’anic message in any way I incur the wrth of Allah.
Now please tell me which of the above points are contradictory to the Qur’anic message.
By muhammad yunus - 12/10/2016 9:21:25 PM

Dear Mhammed Arif,

Islam as it came to the world was a radical religion.That was 14 centuries ago.

Radical Islam today as understood by the world/ world leaders and
defined in the opening para of the article is the ideology of declaring
innocent people of any religion as kafir and killing them in terror attack –
under the ambit of Islam. The Prophet never did this. The Qur’an forbade the
Prophet from coercing people in any way, let alone terrorizing them doing this
in the following verses:

“If your Lord so willed, everyone on earth would have believed,
all together. Will you (O Muhammad) then compel people until they become
believers” (10:99)?

“We know best what they
say; but you (O Muhammad,) are not to force them. So remind with the Qur'an
those who fear My warning” (50:45).

“So remind (them, O Muhammad) – for you are one who reminds
(88:21); and have no power over them” (88:22)

Yes! The Prophet fought
battles against attacking armies or against tribes that repeatedly broke treaty
terms.

So, based on the arguments laid out in the article, which
relates to present times is true to its caption:“Radicalism
Under The Banner Of Islam Is Mutation Of Islam Into A Cult Of Satan”

By muhammad yunus - 12/10/2016 9:05:08 PM

@Ajoy Dutta. Are you travel agent? Bhakt you are not in turn. By Mohd Abu Rayhan - 12/10/2016 6:40:38 AM

I want to Ask So called New Age Islam, who is responsible for Iraq? Are we not aware Greater Israel agenda? Who is responsible for Rohigya mass killing? Who is dropping bomb on innocent Syrian and who abandoned Libya? Who killed thousand in Vietnam and Japan? Who is responsible for Afghanistan? You are diminishing Islam and Muslim. Who are you i do not know but one thing is clear you are not in right side that is clear. By Mohd Abu Rayhan - 12/10/2016 6:39:29 AM

If we see the west today, with its half the population as illegitimate and with rampant alcoholism, debauchery, homosexuality, abortion etc, it resembles the age of jahiliya (ignorance), it indeed needs a "radical" change By Mohammad Arif - 12/10/2016 6:38:13 AM

Islam from the beginning was "radical" because it had to tear away the jahiliya (ignorance) and bring a "radical" change. By Mohammad Arif - 12/10/2016 6:37:46 AM

Radical Islam is the true Islam. There is NO moderate Islam. Prophet also fought wars and kept women slaves.

Sovreignity and legislation belongs to God only. Therefore it is by God's laws that nations should be ruled. Hence, the purpose of a Muslim's life is to make Quranic laws a living reality rather than submitting to/promoting arbitrary man-made secular laws.

By Mohammad Arif - 12/10/2016 6:36:41 AM

There is no new age islam ... the religion of Allah is never change. By Syed Omer Hussaini - 12/10/2016 6:36:07 AM